Parenting has taken on a whole new level of difficult this week! This mischievous, strong-willed 3 year old is making 2 look like a piece of cake! I can't count how many times this week she has thrown a fit. The easy way out (giving in and saying yes) is usually (well almost always) the wrong way. And what feels like the right discipline produces emotional meltdowns that are exhausting for all of us. Still they are necessary as hard as it is to witness. How do you consistently demonstrate love and grace while correcting the behavior and teaching respect and obedience. She must learn that crying and throwing a fit doesn't get her what she wants. But how many times must this testing phase play out before she learns that!? I keep trying to figure out the "why?" of her bad behavior but it just seems to be because she is testing her limits and wants her independence and her own way. Tonight was better so hopefully things will start to improve. Sounds like I just need God to help me through this, right?! Through His example of love and grace, and through prayer that this new level of testing rebellion will cease!
